Baby Crib Mattresses
Find the right size and type of baby crib mattress for your baby's bed.
After you purchase a crib, the next thing to get is a baby crib mattress.
Because your baby will spent quite a lot of time in his or her crib, selecting a crib mattress that is comfortable and safe is not something you should take lightly.
These days there are lots of different kinds of
Because your baby will spent quite a lot of time in his or her crib, selecting a crib mattress that is comfortable and safe is not something you should take lightly.
These days there are lots of different kinds of
crib mattresses available. In fact, choosing a baby bed mattress can be a little complicated if you don't know where to start.
When you're shopping for a baby crib mattress, you'll find that many of the manufacturers are the same as those for adult mattresses.
But what should you look for in a baby crib mattress? And what are the important crib mattress safety features? Keep reading to find out.
When you're shopping for a baby crib mattress, you'll find that many of the manufacturers are the same as those for adult mattresses.
But what should you look for in a baby crib mattress? And what are the important crib mattress safety features? Keep reading to find out.
Finding the right size mattress for your baby's bed
In recent years, manufacturers have standardized the size of baby crib mattresses. This makes it much easier for you to find one in the right size for your baby's crib. The size of a standard baby crib mattress is 28 by 52 inches. There should be no space between the mattress edges and the frame of the crib. Having any gaps in between is a safety hazard for your baby. Double check with the size of your crib, but unless it's European or unusually sized, you can rest assured that a standard crib mattress will work.
How much does a baby crib mattress cost?
A baby bed mattress is small and doesn't have to be very sturdy to carry the weight of an infant, so it doesn't cost anywhere near as much as an adult mattress would. A crib mattress should cost from 80 to 150 dollars. Organic mattresses are more expensive and can range up to several hundred dollars. Shopping online for a mattress can help you find the best prices.
How much does a baby crib mattress cost?
A baby bed mattress is small and doesn't have to be very sturdy to carry the weight of an infant, so it doesn't cost anywhere near as much as an adult mattress would. A crib mattress should cost from 80 to 150 dollars. Organic mattresses are more expensive and can range up to several hundred dollars. Shopping online for a mattress can help you find the best prices.
What to look for in a baby crib mattress
Since your baby won't use the mattress for more than a year or two, you don't need it to hold up for a long period of time. The biggest things that you should look for when you get a baby bed mattress are comfort and safety.
You also want to look at the ease of cleaning the mattress, the mattress filling materials and of course the cost of the mattress.
As you shop around, you'll find that there are 2 main types of baby crib mattresses - coil and foam. This basically refers to the inside of the mattress,
Since your baby won't use the mattress for more than a year or two, you don't need it to hold up for a long period of time. The biggest things that you should look for when you get a baby bed mattress are comfort and safety.
You also want to look at the ease of cleaning the mattress, the mattress filling materials and of course the cost of the mattress.
As you shop around, you'll find that there are 2 main types of baby crib mattresses - coil and foam. This basically refers to the inside of the mattress,
whether it's made up of a coil system or layers of foam.
As a rule, foam crib mattresses are typically less expensive than coil mattresses. So if you want a cheap crib mattress, go with foam. Foam mattresses are just as good as coil ones, but are a little less firm. One type really isn't any better than the other, so its up to your personal preference which kind you choose.
Whatever kind of baby bed mattress you decide to buy, make sure it is fairly firm. As grownups, we tend to think that soft cushy mattresses are comfortable, so it's natural to think that a soft mattress would be best for your baby. However, an infant does not have the ability to move around as we do and is uncomfortable sinking into a mattress where he or she can get stuck. So, a firm mattress is best for baby's bed.
Another thing that you'll want to look for in your baby's crib mattress is a durable cover. Because baby will spend a lot of time on the mattress, over time it will be subject to spills and accidents. Some mattresses also contain an anti-microbial element in the cover to make them less permeable to baby messes like spit-up.
When to get a crib mattress
A baby crib mattress should be purchased after you buy a crib. Most mattresses fit standard cribs, but if you want to be sure about the size before you get a mattress. Depending on the type of crib mattress you purchase and whether it's organic or not, you will want to purchase the mattress at least a month before it needs to be used. Take the mattress out of the plastic and air it out for your baby so there is no scent to the mattress.
Where to buy a baby crib mattress
Mattresses are made by many companies so the distribution is a little different than for other baby related products. The internet is a great place to find crib mattresses - especially if you want an organic one. And of course you can find baby crib mattresses at baby stores and discount retailers like Target and Walmart, but they are also available in mattress stores.
Mattress retailers like The Mattress Firm or Mattress Discounters also carry baby bed mattresses. Some home furnishing stores like Pottery Barn or JC Penney carry mattresses as well.
Organic Crib Mattresses
Lately baby crib mattresses have been under fire due to the materials and chemicals used in their construction. Specifically waterproof and fire-retardant materials have been linked to health problems in babies. This is leading to more manufacturers choosing "green" materials and making organic crib mattresses. Nowadays there are many choices for parents who want to use organic cribs for their children.
Organic mattresses are usually made from a natural material like cotton and do not contain known allergens or toxins. But the biggest different between organic crib mattresses and regular ones is in the filling. Many regular crib mattresses are filled with materials like polyurethane and latex foam. Organic mattresses are instead filled with organic cotton or wool.
These baby bed mattresses can still be waterproof and fire-retardant but are made so without the use of chemicals or harmful materials (like vinyl.)
Safety concerns with a baby bed mattress
Your baby will spend many hours on a crib mattress over a short period of one to two years - some of that time unattended. Anything that will be in contact with your child for so long needs to be completely safe.
The biggest concern is that your baby does not suffocate or become stuck between the mattress and the crib frame. Make sure that the crib mattress fits tightly into your baby's bed with no gaps between the mattress and the crib. When you first get the baby crib mattress, remove all plastic and other coverings from the mattress.
In addition, the mattress should be firm to the touch and the corners should be square and level - there should be no lumps or sagging in the mattress. Crib mattress covers and/or sheets should fit tightly around the edges of the mattress with no way to become separated from the mattress.
As a rule, foam crib mattresses are typically less expensive than coil mattresses. So if you want a cheap crib mattress, go with foam. Foam mattresses are just as good as coil ones, but are a little less firm. One type really isn't any better than the other, so its up to your personal preference which kind you choose.
Whatever kind of baby bed mattress you decide to buy, make sure it is fairly firm. As grownups, we tend to think that soft cushy mattresses are comfortable, so it's natural to think that a soft mattress would be best for your baby. However, an infant does not have the ability to move around as we do and is uncomfortable sinking into a mattress where he or she can get stuck. So, a firm mattress is best for baby's bed.
Another thing that you'll want to look for in your baby's crib mattress is a durable cover. Because baby will spend a lot of time on the mattress, over time it will be subject to spills and accidents. Some mattresses also contain an anti-microbial element in the cover to make them less permeable to baby messes like spit-up.
When to get a crib mattress
A baby crib mattress should be purchased after you buy a crib. Most mattresses fit standard cribs, but if you want to be sure about the size before you get a mattress. Depending on the type of crib mattress you purchase and whether it's organic or not, you will want to purchase the mattress at least a month before it needs to be used. Take the mattress out of the plastic and air it out for your baby so there is no scent to the mattress.
Where to buy a baby crib mattress
Mattresses are made by many companies so the distribution is a little different than for other baby related products. The internet is a great place to find crib mattresses - especially if you want an organic one. And of course you can find baby crib mattresses at baby stores and discount retailers like Target and Walmart, but they are also available in mattress stores.
Mattress retailers like The Mattress Firm or Mattress Discounters also carry baby bed mattresses. Some home furnishing stores like Pottery Barn or JC Penney carry mattresses as well.
Organic Crib Mattresses
Lately baby crib mattresses have been under fire due to the materials and chemicals used in their construction. Specifically waterproof and fire-retardant materials have been linked to health problems in babies. This is leading to more manufacturers choosing "green" materials and making organic crib mattresses. Nowadays there are many choices for parents who want to use organic cribs for their children.
Organic mattresses are usually made from a natural material like cotton and do not contain known allergens or toxins. But the biggest different between organic crib mattresses and regular ones is in the filling. Many regular crib mattresses are filled with materials like polyurethane and latex foam. Organic mattresses are instead filled with organic cotton or wool.
These baby bed mattresses can still be waterproof and fire-retardant but are made so without the use of chemicals or harmful materials (like vinyl.)
Safety concerns with a baby bed mattress
Your baby will spend many hours on a crib mattress over a short period of one to two years - some of that time unattended. Anything that will be in contact with your child for so long needs to be completely safe.
The biggest concern is that your baby does not suffocate or become stuck between the mattress and the crib frame. Make sure that the crib mattress fits tightly into your baby's bed with no gaps between the mattress and the crib. When you first get the baby crib mattress, remove all plastic and other coverings from the mattress.
In addition, the mattress should be firm to the touch and the corners should be square and level - there should be no lumps or sagging in the mattress. Crib mattress covers and/or sheets should fit tightly around the edges of the mattress with no way to become separated from the mattress.
